10 Reasons to Love Rom, the Greatest Star Trek Character Ever

Rom the Underappreciated

Today, November 12, is the 61st birthday of none other than Max Grodénchik. If you're a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fan, you surely know him, even if you don't know his name. He's the actor who brought Rom, the series' -- and arguably the franchise's -- greatest character to life. If you're scratching your head and asking "Who's Rom?" to yourself, you're forgiven. Rom started life as the comic relief sidekick (and brother) to the series' main comic relief character, untrustworthy Ferengi bar-owner Quark, after all.

Over the course of the show's seven-year run, however, Rom quietly grew in importance. Each year, he revealed more layers and became a nuanced character that was far more than the fool he was often treated like. He might even have saved the universe once or twice, as well. Pretty good for a guy who wasn't even considered worthy enough to run his brother's bar when he first appeared, as seen in this scene from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "The Nagus" (Season 1, episode 11).

Click through the gallery above to learn more about the many faces of our favorite Ferengi, from Rom the Labor Leader to Rom... the Lover.

Rom the Labor Leader

Most Deep Space Nine fans remember Rom for his mechanical ability or gentle demeanor, but often forget his essential contributions to the labor movement on the station, where he started a workers' rights movement. Rom's actions in Season 4's "Bar Association" led to the unionizing of workers in Quark's bar, and ultimately a happy ending with improved working conditions for all involved. Plus, he taught Trek fans about the value of collective bargaining, which isn't something you can say about James T. Kirk.

Rom the Strategic Thinker

What's that, you say? You want more? Okay, then what about the time Rom was the one who came up with a plan to create a whole new type of space-mine (don't ask) to protect a strategically-important area of the galaxy from invaders? Starfleet's top technicians were stumped on how to make it work, but Rom managed to gracelessly stumble onto exactly the correct solution -- and on his wedding day, no less.

Rom the Ambassador

Time travel to oddly familiar eras of Earth culture is a staple of Star Trek, and Rom too ended up stranded on 1960s Earth in Season 4's "Little Green Men." Watch at the way in which Rom quickly sizes up the situation, makes the connection about the language barrier, and sets up Quark to realize how best to take advantage of the situation. Lesser aliens may have overreacted -- Nog, I'm looking at you (although, to be fair, that was how he normally acted) -- but Rom kept it calm and only slightly confused.

Rom the Faithful Companion

Admittedly, there were times that Rom didn't seem like the sharpest tool in the box -- just look at his inability to comprehend what Quark is telling him in this scene from Season 6's "Profit and Lace" -- but that never stopped him from following his heart. Loyal to a fault, he always supported Quark in whatever hairbrained scheme he had concocted, even if it meant crawling around ventilation shafts throughout the station. That's just what a brother should do, isn't it?

Rom the Lover

Yes, that's right: Rom got married. Admittedly, that fact may come as a slight surprise watching his initial attempt to woo his future wife, Leeta, in this scene from Season 5's "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?," but come on: Look at his smile. How could you say no to that smile? (Just don't focus too much on his teeth.) Sure, he was a mechanical, strategy and technical genius, but when it came to love, Rom had no guile, no hidden agenda -- which made him that little bit more lovable as a result.

Rom the Foodie

A little-commented-upon fact about Rom: He was oddly unafraid of new culinary adventures. Take, for example, this scene from Season 5's "The Assignment." While many people -- myself sadly included -- may be squeamish about trying out new cuisines for the first time, Rom's adoration for his boss, (the human) Chief O'Brien, meant that he was going to eat the same breakfast as his hero, even if it meant venturing into the realm of human food for the first time. His willingness to try new things was always admirable, and more reminiscent of a Star Fleet officer than a traditional Ferengi.

Rom the Inspiration

Even when Rom wasn't around, he inspired others. Take a look at the way in which Nog cites his father as integral in his decision to cast aside tradition and join Starfleet in this scene from Season 3's "Heart of Stone" for proof. Yes, this may seem like a condemnation of Rom, but two things should be borne in mind: First, that families never manage to appreciate each other properly; and secondly, that Nog was wrong.

By the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Rom hadn't just used his skills to become an integral part of the space station's staff, he hadn't just found love and gotten married; he'd also been named as ruler of his home planet, and all because of the very reasons that Nog put him down in this scene. For once, a character ended up being rewarded for being a good person (well, Ferengi) -- or maybe he'd just been playing a particularly long game all the time.

Rom the Unreliable Stool Pigeon

Of course, just because Rom wanted to do the right thing didn't mean that he was always able to get it done. Take a look at this scene from Season 2's "Necessary Evil," where his less-than-perfect recall stood in the way of helping Constable Odo track down the man who attacked his brother. Mind you, there's an (unlikely) alternate reading of this; after all, if Quark died, then Rom stood to inherit everything he owned. But standing in the way of the investigation, therefore giving the would-be assassin more chance to strike again, wasn't Rom's style. (Or was it?)

Rom the Musician
As if all of that wasn't enough, Rom even had a little musical talent. Okay, he had very little musical talent, but admit it: When it comes to versions of "The Lady Is The Tramp," this is a pretty memorable one. Max Grodénchik, over seven years, you made Rom one of the most memorable characters in television science-fiction (if not one of the most tuneful). Happy birthday, Mr. Grodénchik. It's surely only a matter of time before Earth makes you its Grand Nagus, as well.